Month: November 2004

  • Pete Huttlinger

    Fingerpicking to fruition

    It’s a dream that eludes an untold number of musicians who try to “make it” in Nashville. There’s no telling how many players journey to the Tennessee capital in search of stardom, or at the very least, a reliable employment situation where their musical abilities can generate a steady income.

    Fingerpicking phenom Pete Huttlinger has succeeded in a big way, and has garnered accolades from not only his peers, he also managed to win a national fingerpicking contest held annually in Winfield, Kansas, and has toured and recorded with many notable musicians, particularly John Denver – Huttlinger was the singer’s touring guitarist from 1994 until Denver’s death in 1997 (he also recorded with Denver). Moreover, Pete has recorded two solo albums, Catch & Release (1995) and Naked Pop (2000), both on Instar Records, as well as two John Denver tribute albums, Colors in Time (Vols. 1 and 2), and Welcome to Brazil as a member of the Brazil

  • Jerry Jones Master Electric Sitar

    High-quality build, authentic groove

    If you’ve always wanted to learn the sitar, but could never quite scrape up the cash to fly to India and study with the Maharishi for several years, then you’ll be happy to know that with the skills you already have and a Jerry Jones Master Electric Sitar, you can chase such famous riffs as B.J. Thomas’ “Hooked On A Feelin’,” Steely Dan’s “Do It Again,” The Beatles’ “Norwegian Wood” (of course), and even Spinal Tap’s “Listen To The Flower People.”

    Nuts, Bolts, Strings…and More Strings
    Modeled after the original ’60s Vincent Bell Coral Sitar built by Danelectro, the Jerry Jones sitar is constructed like most of Jones’ guitars – with a poplar wood frame sandwiched between two pieces of Masonite, leaving a hollow chamber. It has a 25″-scale maple neck with flat 141/2″-radius Indian rosewood fingerboard, six-on-a-side Gotoh tuners, 21 medium jumbo frets, and an intonated “buzz bridge.”

    Electronics-wise, Jones keeps it close to the cuff, employing his own lipstick pickups – two for the sitar, one for the 13-string sympathetic harp that can be tuned to any key or scale – each with its own volume and tone control. The cool red “gator” finish, along with the etched plexiglass pickguard and tailpiece cover, complete the instrument’s very psychedelic look. The smooth satin-finished neck and low action make it a breeze to play.

    In terms of quality of construction, Jones’ instruments are certainly a couple notches above the vintage ones.

    Play That Funky Music
    We grabbed a small recent-issue Peavey tube amp and turned it up; suddenly, we were awash in a ton of sweet whirring and buzzing…what a blast! We liked the tone best with both pickups turned up, where it delivered a sweet out-of-phase sound that enhanced the authentic sitar groove…man.

    It looks cool, it sounds cool, it’s a blast to play, and it rivals guitars costing double, which might lead one to ask why other U.S. builders can’t do the same!


    Jerry Jones Master Sitar
    Type of Guitar: Electric Sitar.
    Features: Laminated poplar/masonite body, 25″-scale maple neck, 141/2″ radius Indian rosewood fingerboard, six-on-a-side Gotoh tuners, 21 medium jumbo frets, intonated “buzz bridge,” 13-string sympathetic harp, lipstick tube pickups.
    Price: $795
    Contact: Jerry Jones Guitars, PO Box 22507, Nashville, TN 37202, (615) 255-0088, jerryjonesguitars.com.


    This article originally appeared in VG‘s Oct. ’01 issue. All copyrights are by the author and Vintage Guitar magazine. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.

  • Russell Malone – Heartstrings

    Heartstrings

    It’s the age-old question, does the use of strings somehow cheapen the music? Wes Montgomery is still to this day vilified for using strings. Wrongly, I might add. George Benson takes grief. Even Charlie Parker did an album with strings and heard the naysayers because of it. Well, here, the brilliant guitarist Russell Malone uses strings and it works beautifully. Don’t let folks tell you strings make for boring albums. Here, they add to a set of songs that are strong, and a set of players who are the best in the business. Joining Malone are Kenny Barron on piano, Christian McBride on bass, and Jeff “Tain” Watts on drums.

    The title cut kicks things off with a late-night feel, not unlike some of Wes’ ballad work. Very soulful soloing from Malone. His chordal work is put on display on several cuts here, including a song you normally wouldn’t associate with jazz. A remake of the Ann Murray hit “You Needed Me” is a pleasant surprise. “Handful of Stars” really gives Malone a chance to shine. Things start with a burst of harmonics, then some beautiful chordal work and soulful single-line work. And if that’s not enough, he throws some nice chordal soloing into the mix. A killer cut.

    A lot of the tunes are the kind of light swing that lets the band shine. “The Bad and the Beautiful,” “Guess I’ll Hang My Tears Out to Dry,” and “Why Try to Change Me Now” all fit into that category. Things wrap up with a solo “What a Friend We Have In Jesus.” You really have to hear this version. It’s done in such a beautiful way that I don’t even want to try and describe it.

    Malone is the heir apparent to players like Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell, and George Benson. If you like them (and how could you not?), you’ll love Malone.


    This article originally appeared in VG‘s Dec. ’01 issue. All copyrights are by the author and Vintage Guitar magazine. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.

  • Jody Williams – Return of a Legend

    Return of a Legend

    Rarely has an album been more aptly named. Williams was one of the key Chicago sessionmen in the ’50s and ’60s, the musically sophisticated guitarist who added the licks and solos to Chess, VeeJay, and other recordings by everyone from Howlin’ Wolf to Jimmy Witherspoon, Bo Diddley to Floyd Dixon. Out of the business since the late ’60s, this album definitely marks the return of a legend.

    Williams took up guitar under the tutelage of Elias McDaniel (a.k.a. Bo Diddley). Williams learned to play in Bo’s trademark open E tuning on a pawnshop guitar, but somewhere also acquired a serious understanding of music far beyond the typical bluesman.

    In the late ’60s, disillusionment with the music biz set in, and Williams went to electronics school, eventually working as an engineer at Xerox for the next 26 years. His guitar gathered dust until after his retirement, and the result is this hot album.

    The highlight is Williams and his guitar. The guest appearance by Billy Boy Arnold carries through their long musical ties. He plays with a verve and vigor that sound as good today as it did on the classic records.

    Equally good are Bill Dahl’s classy liner notes that tell Williams’ story with colorful anecdotes and solid scholarship. These notes are perhaps the best thing written on Williams to date.


    This article originally appeared in VG‘s May ’02 issue. All copyrights are by the author and Vintage Guitar magazine. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.

  • November 2004

    FEATURES

    FENDER’S 50th ANNIVERSARY STRAT
    Height of the Reissue
    Fender’s most important reissue denotes the model that is the epitome of a pop music legend, and a huge part of Fender’s history and lore. By Ward Meeker

    BASS SPACE
    1965 Gibson Thunderbird
    Looking to finally make a real dent in Fender’s solidbody bass market, in the mid ’60s Gibson launched a line of electric guitars and basses that emulated Fender’s latest designs. By Willie G. Moseley

    J.J. CALE
    Interviews with the press-shy songwriting legend are rare, but he opens up considerably at the opportunity to talk about the musicians who have covered his songs, and the reason he got into the music business in the first place: the guitar. By Dan Forte

    D’AQUISTO CUSTOM OVAL-HOLE
    This 1971 instrument represents a transition from James D’Aquisto’s early traditional-design instruments to the more modern, with a no-frills, unornamented fingerboard, as well as an ebony pickguard, bridge, and tailpiece. By George Gruhn

    KERRY LIVGREN
    Real-Life Back to the Future
    He dropped out of the rock and roll rat race in 1983 to pursue a career in contemporary Christian music. Lately, though, his attention has been focused on a reunited early version of Kansas. By Willie G. Moseley

    1988 PEAVEY VANDENBERG
    Guitarmakers have long enlisted famous players to endorse their instruments. Peavey made the step to a signature guitar in 1988 with the recruitment of hot Dutch guitarist Adrian Vandenberg and the distinctive Vandenberg Signature model. By Michael Wright

    THE DIFFERENT STRUMMER
    Al-u-minium!
    Spruce, maple, alder, cedar, mahogany, rosewood, ebony, ash, and even birch are the building materials guitarists know and love. But alternative materials crop up periodically to provide spice to life. By Michael Wright

    DEPARTMENTS

    Dealer News

    Vintage Guitar Price Guide

    Builder Profile
    Blue Tone Amplifiers

    Upcoming Events

    Vintage Guitar Classified Ads

    Dealer Directory

    The Great VG Giveaway
    Win a custom Phantom Swept-Wing guitar and Mosferatu OD pedal worth over $4,200!

    Readers Gallery

    FIRST FRET

    Reader Mail

    News and Notes
    Newport Guitar Fest, Pete Huttlinger, Carol Kaye, Dan Fogelberg, Hagstrom re-launch, Clapton on RockWalk, Mountain, Stolen Gear, In Memoriam, more!

    Straight Outta Compton
    “Town Hall Party” on DVD
    By Jim Hilmar

    Executive Rock
    Fun ’N Games
    By Willie G. Moseley

    P.K. Dwyer
    Doing Something Different
    By John Heidt

    Tom Conway
    Gypsy Jazz From Hawaii
    By Michael Dregni

    Richie Kotzen
    Evolution
    By Oscar Jordan

    Classic Concerts
    The Vanilla Fudge, 1967
    By Glen Anderson

    Summer NAMM ’04
    Leaving Nashville With a Bang

    COLUMNS

    Q&A With George Gruhn

    Acousticville
    The Rockygrass Academy Report
    By Steven Stone

    FretPrints
    Larry Carlton
    By Wolf Marshall

    Gigmeister
    The Line 6 POD
    By Riley Wilson

    TECH

    Dan’s Guitar Rx
    Locking Trem Blues
    By Dan Erlewine

    Guitar Shop
    More Things to Know
    By Tony Nobles

    Amps
    Understanding Tube Electronics
    By Gerald Weber

    Ask Gerald
    By Gerald Weber

    REVIEWS

    The VG Hit List
    Music, Book and Video Reviews: Danny Gatton, Peter Green, Johnny Hiland, Deke Dickerson, Ralph Stanley, Tom Principato, Left-Brain Lutherie, more!

    Check This Action
    Confessions of a Folkoholic, II
    Dan Forte

    Vintage Guitar Gear Reviews
    Dean HardTail, Linc Luthier Impression, Gigliotti GS!

    Gearin’ Up!
    The latest cool new stuff!